Infrared-active phonons in carbon nanotubes

The aim of the present paper is to identify the main infrared vibrational features of carbon nanotubes. In this goal, infrared experiments have been performed on different well-characterized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) as well as graphite and carbon aerogel. The comparison between the experimental spectra measured on these different samples allows us to identify the infrared-active modes of carbon nanotubes. In SWCNTs, the tangential modes are located around 1590 cm−1 and the radial mode around 860 cm−1. This latter mode vanishes in the infrared spectrum of DWCNTs. Finally, in the infrared spectra of all the carbon nanotubes investigated, a band around 1200 cm−1 is evidenced and assigned to the D-band (disorder-induced band)

Structural selective charge transfer in iodine-doped carbon nanotubes

We have investigated iodine intercalated carbon nanostructures by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Raman spectroscopies. We discuss here the charge transfer and the iodine–carbon interaction as a function of the carbon nanostructures (graphite, multi-walled, double-walled and single walled nanotubes). The results show that iodine is weakly adsorbed on the surface of all multi-walled nanotubes. By contrast, a charge transfer between iodine and single walled nanotubes is evidenced

EXAFS study of rubidium-doped single-wall carbon nanotube bundles

International audienceThe local structure around the rubidium ions inserted in single-wall carbon nanotube bundles (Rb-doped SWCNT) is studied by Rb K-edge extended x-ray-absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The dependence of the local order around the rubidium ions is investigated as a function of the time of doping (i.e., as a function of the stoichiometry of the sample). The first coordination shell of the rubidium ions, related to the distance between rubidium and the first nearest-neighboring carbon atoms, has a clear time doping dependence. Comparison between ab initio simulations of the EXAFS spectra and experimental data questions the interstitial site (between three tubes) as the preferential insertion site in SWCNT bundles. The results indicate that the rubidium ions are mainly located inside the tubes and around the bundles. The results are in good agreement with combined x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments performed on the same samples

EXAFS investigations of iodine-doped carbon nanotubes

International audienceWe report an x-ray absorption fine structure study at the iodine-K edge of the local structure in iodine-doped carbon nanotubes. The iodine-carbon host interaction is shown to be weaker in multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) than in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Iodine species are only localized at the surface of the external tube for MWNTs, whereas iodine species enter inside SWNTs. For doped SWNTs, both the experimental and the theoretical EXAFS spectra allow us to establish the structure of the iodine chain as disordered pentaiodide at the saturation level

High-pressure behavior of polyiodides confined into single-walled carbon nanotubes: A Raman study

International audienceThe high-pressure behavior of polyiodides confined into the hollow core of single-walled carbon nanotubes organized into bundles has been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. Several regimes of the structural properties are observed for the nanotubes and the polyiodides under pressure. Raman responses of both compounds exhibit correlations over the whole pressure range (0–17 GPa). Modifications, in particular, take place, respectively, between 1 and 2.3 GPa for polyiodides and between 7 and 9 GPa for nanotubes, depending on the experiment. Differences between one experiment to another are discussed in terms of nanotube filling homogeneity. These transitions can be presumably assigned to the tube ovalization pressure and to the tube collapse pressure. A nonreversibility of several polyiodide mode modifications is evidenced and interpreted in terms of a progressive linearization of the iodine polyanions and a reduction in the charged species on pressure release. Furthermore, the significant change in the mode intensities could be associated to an enhancement of lattice modes, suggesting the formation of a new structure inside the nanotube. Changes in the nanotube mode positions after pressure release point out a decrease in the charge transfer in the hybrid system consistent with the observed evolution of the charged species

High-pressure behavior of polyiodides confined into single-walled carbon nanotubes: A Raman study

International audienceThe high-pressure behavior of polyiodides confined into the hollow core of single-walled carbon nanotubes organized into bundles has been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. Several regimes of the structural properties are observed for the nanotubes and the polyiodides under pressure. Raman responses of both compounds exhibit correlations over the whole pressure range (0–17 GPa). Modifications, in particular, take place, respectively, between 1 and 2.3 GPa for polyiodides and between 7 and 9 GPa for nanotubes, depending on the experiment. Differences between one experiment to another are discussed in terms of nanotube filling homogeneity. These transitions can be presumably assigned to the tube ovalization pressure and to the tube collapse pressure. A nonreversibility of several polyiodide mode modifications is evidenced and interpreted in terms of a progressive linearization of the iodine polyanions and a reduction in the charged species on pressure release. Furthermore, the significant change in the mode intensities could be associated to an enhancement of lattice modes, suggesting the formation of a new structure inside the nanotube. Changes in the nanotube mode positions after pressure release point out a decrease in the charge transfer in the hybrid system consistent with the observed evolution of the charged species

Charge Transfer Evidence between Carbon Nanotubes and Encapsulated Conjugated Oligomers

International audienceA hybrid system consisting of quaterthiophene derivative inserted into carbon nanotubes is studied. Encapsulation efficiency of the conjugated oligomers in the hollow core of nanotubes is investigated by transmission electron microscopy and spatial-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy. Infrared spectroscopy showed evidence of a significant positive charge transfer on the inserted oligothiophene. Raman spectra display different behaviors depending on the excitation energy and correlated to the quaterthiophene optical absorption energy. At high excitation wavelength (far from the oligomer resonance), radial breathing modes exhibit a significant upshift consistent with an encapsulation effect. At low excitation wavelength (close to the oligomer resonance), both the G-band shift and the low-frequency modes vanishing suggest a significant charge transfer between the quaterthiophene and the nanotube

1D-confinement of polyiodides inside single-wall carbon nanotubes

International audience1D-confinement of polyiodides inside single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) is investigated. Structural arrangement of iodine species as a function of the SWCNT diameters is studied. Evidence for long range one dimensional ordering of the iodine species is shown by X-ray and electron diffraction experiments independently of the tube diameter. The structure of the confined polyiodides is investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The confinement influences the local arrangement of the chains. Below a critical diameter Fc of 1 nm, long linear polyiodides are evidenced leading to a weaker charge transfer than for nanotube diameter above Fc. A shortening of the polyiodides is exhibited with the increase of the nanotube diameter leading to a more efficient charge transfer. This point reflects the 1D-confinement of the polyiodides inside the nanotubes

Charge transfer in conjugated oligomers encapsulated into carbon nanotubes

This study deals with a hybrid system consisting in quaterthiophene derivative encapsulated inside single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Investigations of the encapsulation step are performed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy data point out different behaviors depending on the laser excitation energy with respect to the optical absorption of quaterthiophene. At low excitation energy (far from the oligomer resonance window) there is no significant modification of the Raman spectra before and after encapsulation. By contrast, at high excitation energy (close to the oligomer resonance window), Raman spectra exhibit a G-band shift together with an important RBM intensity loss, suggesting a significant charge transfer between the inserted molecule and the host nanotubes. Those results suggest a photo induced process leading to a significant charge transfer.Peer reviewe